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The first day of the Muslim new year on 1 Muharram 1430, this falls year on Monday, 29 December 2008. Although Muslims do not celebrate New Year, this day is a holiday in many Muslim countries.
It happened in 1430 after years of emigration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in September 622 A.D, an event designated by the term Hijrah (Hegirea in English). This trip is one of the major events of Muslim history.
The first Muslims were severely persecuted and tortured to Mecca by the powerful Quraysh tribe. Muslims were little and a great many of them were slaves. Unable to pushing the hand of their persecutors, all they could do was wait until God gives them another issue.
The twelfth year of the prophetic mission, twelve men from the town of Yathrib (The old name of Medina) went to Mecca during the season pilgrimage and met Muhammad at Al-`Aqabah. Having heard his message, they embraced Islam and declared their faith at the First Oath Al-`Aqabah. The Prophet sent Mus `ab ibn` Umayr with them to Yathrib to teach them religion. Mus `ab managed to convert many people to the Islam. The following year, in June 622 A.D , sixty-three men and two women of Yathrib went to the Prophet during the pilgrimage and it lent allegiance, it was the Second Oath of Al-`Aqabah. They promised to protect and assist the Muslims in Mecca to resettle in their city.
The delegation was the core of Muslims who were subsequently the name of Ansar, literally auxiliaries or helpers, Muslims from Yathrib, a city renamed Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah - City Illuminated - or Medina. Muslims gradually left Mecca in small groups, not to attract the attention of Qurayshites. Finally, the Qurayshites realized what was happening and tried to prevent many of them to leave. The history recounts many stories About these men and women who abandoned their homes, their property and their families to be able to freely practice their religion in Medina.
It was only a few months later that God authorized the Prophet - Peace and blessings upon him - to leave Mecca. Shortly before his departure, Jibril (Angel Gabriel) told Muhammad that the Quraysh for plotting stab in his sleep. The night the murder was to take place, its cousin `Ali ibn Abi Talib was lying in the bed of the Prophet as it is refuge with his companion Abu Bakr in a cave south of the Mecca, opposite the direction of Medina. Fortunately for `Ali, the murderers discovered his face before the stabbing, then they left when they realized that their plot was foiled.
Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid in a cave for three days while Qurayshites combed near Mecca. At one point, their enemies stood a few meters from them outside the cave, but God protected by "ordinary miracles". A spider came into effect weave its web at the entrance to the cave and doves had made their nest and lay their eggs. Prosecutors have said that was no entered this cave recently and the searched does not.
The two companions continued their journey therefore, led by a guide pagan, and borrowed coastal road to distort company with their pursuers. When they finally arrived in Medina, Muhammad released the reins of his camel and left forward as it seemed to be posat it. The Prophet bought the land where his camel had stopped.
Then, until the Mosque of the Prophet and his apartments there were built, the Prophet and Abu Bakr enjoyed the hospitality of Ansar.
The Hegira finally gave the Muslims a place where they could declare their religion openly and practice in peace. This was the birth of the State Islamic. The verses of the Koran revealed to Mecca had dealt mainly the nature of God and of man's relationship with him. At the Mecca, there were few homes in which all members were Muslims. In this time, Islam seemed to focus on the individual and its future in the next Hereafter. In contrast, the verses revealed in Medina focused more on relationship with another man - the social, political and Economic Islam could not be developed before, under persecution.
The Hijra was also remarkable for brotherhood and altruism shown by the Ansar against Muhâjirûn (Emigrants from Mecca). The Ansar were not rich. Nevertheless, they welcomed the Muhâjirûn, shared their food and habitat with them, and helped to settle and find job. Moreover, the Ansar were aware that by so doing they defied the Qurayshites and all the pagan tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. Pagans launched, in fact, several military campaigns to exterminate the State Muslim emerging. But the Ansar remained faithful to the Prophet - peace and blessings upon him - did that constantly love and rent.
This was the second caliph, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab who chooses the year of Hijrah as a starting point of the Muslim calendar.
The Hegira marked the birth of Islam as a complete lifestyle all aspects of human existence.
Happy New Year 1430 of the Hegira full of joy, happiness, Peace & Prosperity.
